The Penny Drops!

Part 11

River grinned and swatted his bum as he passed. "You're insufferable."

He turned around and grinned down at her. "You still love me!" He sing-songed. She rolled her eyes and pulled the back of his neck down for a kiss. "Only a little."

He chuckled and pressed another quick one to her lips. "I, Mrs. Song, am going to take a shower. Feel free to join."

She snorted. "I already told you, I just took a shower, and I've got to fix this mess you've made under here. Poor girl. She must be exhausted." The TARDIS hummed in agreement, and the Doctor rolled his eyes.

"Picking favorites yet again." He stepped in between her legs and kissed her again. "I don't know why I put up with you."

"It's the hair." She replied coyly, fluffing it. "Definitely the hair."

"Hmm." He grabbed a curl, tugged gently, and watched it spring back into place. "Yes, I suppose that's it."

She shoved him off of her and connected two wires hanging down. "Go on, then."

He threw a smile over his shoulder as he went down the corridor.

--------

Jenny frowned at the oncoming Sontarans. "You aren't very hospitable, now are you?" She yelled.

"Seize the boy!" The lead ordered, and she ran faster towards her ship.

Sontarans may have been some of the best warriors in the galaxy, but they were too short to catch up with anyone.

When she came up to it, she threw the door open and clambered inside, throwing her gun to the side and settling into the seat.

Then she fired up the anti-gravs and waved good-bye to the walking and talking baked potatoes below.

--------

River hummed a Galifreyan lullaby as she un-did the time distortion flux from the Helmic Regulator. Honestly, how did he even pull it from the other side of the room?

 Then there was the slight noise of the door opening and closing.

She arched an eyebrow and her hand instinctively went down to her gun. The Doctor said he was going to the shower, and she seriously doubted he'd go back outside with no shirt.

There were light thud thud thud of footsteps that wasn't his or anyone she knew. She unholstered her gun slowly, holding the weapon out in a low position so the person wouldn't see her. Then she crept toward the steps slowly, taking one step at a time and keeping her head down and- 

"Dad?" A voice called out. River immediately relaxed. It was a lost child.

She holstered her weapon and walked up the stairs quickly. "Dear, your dad isn't in here. I've been here the whole time, I would've noticed." She informs the blonde teenager as she walks up beside her.

Jenny quirked an eyebrow, looking River over, immediately noting the gun and almost military stance she was hiding, but still holding.

"Are you sure? Because Dad came in a blue box that looked exactly like this, and this looks a lot like something he'd have. Donna told me it was bigger on the inside."

Donna.... Donna... why did that ring a bell? River wracked her mind.

"Donna Noble?"

"Yes, I think so." Jenny said, sliding a hand over the console. The TARDIS hums in response, and River's eyes widened. "Oh my..."

Jenny turned back to her, confused. "What is it?"

River gulped and put her hand to her head. "You.... the TARDIS likes you, you obviously think the Doctor's your father... and... Oh my God." She sank into the jump seat. "But... that's not even possible." River argued with herself. "I could never... how do we? You don't even recognize me!" She suddenly exclaimed, jumping up to look the girl in the eyes.

"Should I?" Jenny asked quizically.

River bit her lip and shook her head. "No, I suppose not. Why don't you just tell me who you are, hm?"

"Jenny."

"Jenny what?" River said.

The younger woman shrugged. "Just Jenny. Only name I've got."

River's eyes widened. "You've gotta be..."

"Jenny?" Her husbands voice suddenly asks from behind them. River turns around, face paled. "Sweetie, what-" She paused to take a deep breath. "Is this-" She gestured to Jenny.

The Doctor just grinned stupidly. "River, this is my daughter. You know, I thought-"

Jenny squealed and ran to give him a hug. "It is you! How'd you change your face?" She asked, pulling back. "Oh, just regenerated. What about you? You're not dead!"

He glanced to his wife when he heard her sharp intake of breath. "River? You alright?"

She glanced quickly between her husband and his daughter. "I- I-." She stuttered. For once, River Song was speechless.

"Are you from...." She finally asked.

"From where?"

"Galifrey?" River finished, clutching the console behind her.

The Doctor's eyes widened. "Oh, no, River. She's not. I should explain. She doesn't have a mother."

River's eyes widened, then turned back to normal when she thought it through. "Ah, so it was a progenation machine?"

"Yes." He nodded in affirmation. "It was complicated. They sort of shoved my hand in it, then we had to stop a war.... you know. You didn't know about that?"

"Well, I just got to Stormcage. And I didn't study it."

Jenny smiled at her father. "So, going to introduce me?"

"Oh, yes. Jenny, this is my wife, River Song."

Jenny chuckled as they shook hands. "I suppose you're my step-mother."

River let the corner of her lips tug up. "I suppose so. At the beginning I thought.... you scared me for a minute there."

"Well, Dad, thing is, I've got my own ship now. And...." She motioned outside. "..I sort of want to keep travelling. You know. I mean, I like going by myself sometimes. I'll come visit all the time, and I won't leave now, but... yeah."

The Doctor pretended to think about it. "Well, I suppose...."

"Yeah?"

"I suppose we can visit Narnia before you leave!" He replied, grinning and picking her up to spin her around.

She giggled and swatted at him. "No, not yet! I've been chased by Sontarans all day. Maybe tomorrow?"

"Fine." He grumbled something under his breath about 'women', and River rolled her eyes. "Come along, dear. I'll show you the spa. The massage chairs are absolutely lovely." She linked her arm through the younger woman's, and they left chattering.

Behind them, the Doctor couldn't help but smile at the picture.